Project name: Warm Minimalism with Architectural Depth
Interior design: Evgeniya Chepulyanis
Stylist: Natalia Titova
Location: Moscow
Photo: Maxim Kanakin
Area: 80 m²
Year: 2025
Project description from design firms Chepulyanis Architectural Bureau
Warm Minimalism with Architectural Depth
When clients come back for another project, each new home becomes a continuation of a shared story. This apartment in Moscow was our second—but certainly not our last—collaboration with a thoughtful and open-minded family. Their brief was refreshingly clear: create a cozy home with two independent children’s rooms, a spa-like bathroom, abundant wood finishes, and modern technology to make everyday living easier.
Inspiration: Material over Color
The main concept set the tone from the start: minimalism, but with a sense of warmth you can feel. We focused not on decorative color, but on textures, soft light, and the honesty of natural materials. Wood defines the character of the project and not just as decoration—it actually organizes and structures the entire space.
Calm in the Heart of the Home
The heart of the apartment is a unified open space, blending living room and kitchen around the warm grain of wood. Wooden panels create a continuous architectural shell: concealing storage, integrating appliances, and visually tying the functional zones together. As a result, the interior feels calm and unified, free of visual clutter.
The living room is pared down to the essentials. Storage systems with wooden facades function as architectural planes, seamlessly incorporating the TV and open shelves. A soft, modular sofa in a light tone and a neutral rug add extra comfort, providing a gentle contrast to the crisp geometry of the furnishings. A subtle blue accent at the window enlivens the calming palette and adds depth.
The kitchen extends this same idea of architectural integration. The lower cabinets are finished in a matte light tone, which contrasts gently with the wood panels. A compact bar area by the window is a light-filled spot for breakfasts with a city view. Storage is carefully planned—not only built-in cupboards but also a utility room and pantry, keeping everyday life organized and tidy.
Bedroom: A Cozy Retreat
Every detail here is designed for relaxation. The wood-effect porcelain panel behind the bed provides a sense of shelter and enclosure. We selected tranquil textiles: thick drapes, soft bedding, and gentle hues. Minimalist pendant lights lend a modern yet airy feel. Built-in wardrobes make it easy to keep everything in its place—no effort required.
Bathroom: At-home Spa
The homeowners wanted a retreat for daily relaxation rituals, and that’s exactly what the bathroom delivers. Here, we played with textures: vertical fluted tile in a delicate green shade, wood finishes, and soft, ambient lighting. The result is a sense of an intimate home spa—a place you’ll want to unwind in after a long day.
Children’s Rooms: Two Worlds, One Home
The children’s rooms each have distinctly different characters, yet both are woven into the overall design narrative of the apartment.
The first room is a dreamy watercolor escape.
The centerpiece is a decorative headboard panel featuring a gentle landscape with flying birds. Airy and light-filled, the room’s calm textiles, soft bed, and subtle details create an atmosphere of safety and magic.
The second room celebrates graphic lines and imagination.
Here, the architectural emphasis is overhead: a frieze with the moon and clouds runs around the ceiling, giving the impression of a night sky within the room. Below, simplicity reigns: a soft sofa bed, light geometric rug, and a wooden nightstand. The blue ceiling adds a playful, individual touch.
Both rooms are designed to evolve with their young occupants, with a timeless base that can easily take on new decor as the children grow.
The Comfort of Detail
Every area is filled with light; we selected all the furniture together with the owners, ensuring every sofa and chair truly felt “right.” As the family was moving into a brand new space, unburdened by old furniture or family heirlooms, the project became strikingly cohesive and fresh.
What delights us most?
The wood, the tactile contrasts, and that rare balance where nothing essential had to be sacrificed.
The apartment feels genuinely homey—and here, minimalism is not about coldness, but deep, enduring comfort.
For us, the greatest reward is the family’s response: not only were they delighted, but they almost immediately started planning their next project with us. That’s when you know you’ve created a space people truly love coming home to.
